INTRODUCTION 



and composition. These small parks, therefore, are beginning to have 

 an individuality all their own, and are acquiring a character of design 

 that will before many years make the Washington park system unique 

 in this res23ect/' 



^Ir. Burnap has not confined his attention to the intensive develop- 

 ment of the small park spaces alone, for Washington park areas of 

 all sorts and sizes which have been in existence for many years, con- 

 forming in location and outline with the original great scheme of the 

 Ca})itol City, are but now, through his efforts, being appreciated for 

 their true beauty and value. With a view to discovering the best 

 things that can and should be done for all parks to increase their 

 effectiveness both as service parks and as decorative areas, ]Mr. Burnap 

 has widely travelled in this country and abroad. AVith an open mind 

 he has caught with his camera, now here and now there, examples of 

 the best things in many lands. 



Such a thorough groundwork of principle and wide experience 

 have eminently fitted JNIr. Burnap for the writing of this first book of 

 large scope to be published upon the subject, and he has not only set 

 forth in the text his vision of park design but has illustrated with photo- 

 graphs every suggestion he proposes. Thus in his book is spread a 

 vista that points the way for all zealous devotees of parks to introduce 

 in their own particular pleasure grounds the very best that has been 

 achieved elsewhere. His appeal and his direct aid should be particu- 

 larly useful not only to members of city park })oards by way of sug- 

 gestion and to custodians of parks by telling them just what to do 

 and how to carry out the suggestions made by governing boards, 

 prompted by Mr. Burnap's book and its admirable illustrations, but 

 also to all landscape architects and those in any way interested in the 

 beautification and healthfulness of our municipalities. It should be 

 welcomed by novice and expert alike in the possibilities it presents for 

 the larger development of those priceless assets that are now so gen- 

 erally being acquired by American cities. Let there not only be more 

 parks but better j^arks. 



